The First National Meeting for Leaders / Servants of the Italian CCR entities promoted by the National Service of Communion of CHARIS Italy was held in Rome on September 18th and 19th.Representatives from 34 entities were present and for the first time in the history of Italian Charismatic Renewal they were able to meet up, get to know one another, pray together and discuss common issues.
After the introductory greeting by Ciro Fusco, National coordinator, His Eminence Card. Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian Bishops Conference spoke and greeted the participants on behalf of Italian bishops while stressing the importance of being witness of the multiple action of the Holy Spirit and rediscovering the sacramental gift of Baptism and the common path of faith shared in communion. The Cardinal also recalled the three tasks entrusted by the Holy Father to the CCR: Baptism in the Spirit, ecumenism and service to the poor as well as putting the gifts of evangelization received from the Spirit at the service of the Church for spreading the Gospel.
Following a short online address from Argentina by Pino Scafuro, CHARIS moderator, to greet everyone and wish them a productive meeting, Paolo Maino, a member of the International Service of Communion, spoke about CHARIS’ own Mission and its role, whereas Julia Torres, from CHARIS Executive Council, recalled the stages leading to the creation of CHARIS.
In the afternoon Ciro Fusco, Coordinator of the National Service of Communion, introduced NSC members and spoke about its creation and its future objectives.
During the celebration of the Holy Eucharist His Eminence Card. Angelo De Donatis, Deputy General of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome, conveyed the greetings of Pope Francis and in his homily led a reflection on the importance of the attitude of the heart when walking with theLord. A heart open to love, mercy, communion, humility and totally surrendering to God and our neighbor.
On Sunday Maria Pasquarelli, Corrado Di Gennaro and Don Pasqualino Di Dio, members of the NSC, shared their experience concerning the three tasks entrusted by the Holy Father to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
At the end, after more sharing among the various Charismatic entities, a new meeting was scheduled for 2022 in the hope of being ever more united and able to better represent more of the large Italian CCR family.
Ciro Fusco
NSC Coordinator, CHARIS-Italy
